Chapter 36: Suo Chao: How dare you come here, courting death! You clearly have no regard for me at all!

"Audacious rebels!"

Just as Lu Junyi and Cai Fu were fighting their way back to the drawbridge, a fierce warrior with a broad, round face and a thick beard charged out after them.

"The 'Urgent Vanguard' Suo Chao is here! Who dares to challenge me?"

"Big Brother, you cross the bridge first!"

Lu Junyi wheeled his horse around, facing the city gate. He leveled his spear and sat firmly in the saddle, possessing the imposing aura of a lone warrior capable of holding off ten thousand foes.

Cai Fu glanced at the heavy iron chains of the drawbridge, where thick iron spikes, as stout as a child's arm, were driven deep into the bridge planks.

"Second Brother, hold them off for a moment!"

Cai Fu swung his ghost-head saber and roared, hacking viciously at the spot where the iron spikes were embedded.

"Clang!"

The thick wooden plank was gashed open by Cai Fu’s blade. He struck the same spot again with another fierce blow!

"Crack!"

The gash transformed into a wide fracture.

At the same time, Suo Chao, his eyes locked onto Lu Junyi, spurred Li Cheng’s snow-white steed onto the drawbridge. Since the Garrison Commander Li Cheng had died under Cai Fu’s blade, his battle-hardened, snow-white horse now belonged to Suo Chao.

"Clatter! Clatter!"

The bowl-sized hooves hammered the thick, solid wood, causing the bridge to tremble violently and emit a dull, resonant drone.

"Hmph! You seek death by returning!"

Suo Chao’s bull-like eyes widened as he bellowed, "You clearly don't hold me in any regard!"

"Whoosh!"

Utilizing the momentum of the charging steed, Suo Chao swung his golden battle-axe, cleaving it downward directly at Lu Junyi’s head!

"Watch out!"

Yang Xiong and Shi Xiu, lying on the cart, looked back and turned pale with terror at the sight of Suo Chao’s strike. They had clashed with Suo Chao before; neither of them could withstand him in a one-on-one duel.

Yet, Lu Junyi seemed stunned by the power of the blow, remaining motionless at the bridgehead. Would this axe not split him in two?

Suo Chao thought the same. Seeing Lu Junyi standing still, he grinned triumphantly. "Die!"

"Swish!"

A flash of cold light struck first, then the spear lunged forth like a dragon!

Suo Chao thought his eyes were playing tricks on him, but in the blink of an eye, the brilliant spear tip was already thrusting toward his face!

Great heavens!

Suo Chao’s expression shifted violently. Without a second thought, he performed an "iron bridge" maneuver, arching his upper body backward until it pressed against the horse's haunches.

The spear missed. Lu Junyi, calm and unhurried, flicked the butt of his spear, causing the tip to vibrate violently.

"Hum—"

The spear tip, carrying a gust of wind, slammed into Suo Chao’s breastplate with such force that it sent him spitting a mouthful of old blood into the sky!

"Pfft!"

Suo Chao felt his blood and qi churning in his chest, as if his internal organs had been displaced. He tumbled off his horse, unable to control his movements.

"Boom!"

Just as Lu Junyi prepared to pursue, a deafening crash echoed, causing the entire drawbridge to shudder.

"Swish!"

The massive iron chain, thick as a child’s arm, recoiled violently, whipping against the city wall with a thunderous crack.

"Hiss!"

Lu Junyi couldn't help but gasp. He looked back to see that Cai Fu had hacked off a section of the bridge—the very section held by the iron chain. Cai Fu had already darted to the other side to continue hacking the planks.

"Shoot! Shoot them!"

Garrison Commander Wen Da had reached the ramparts and was barking orders at the archers.

The archers hesitated. "Commander Wen, General Suo is still down there..."

"Shoot! I told you to shoot!" Wen Da lashed out with his riding crop, striking them repeatedly. "If the rebels escape, who will bear the responsibility?"

"Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh!"

Under Wen Da’s threats, the archers were forced to unleash a volley. A rain of arrows descended upon the bridge, blanketing the area.

On the bridge, the white horse was spinning in place. The fallen Suo Chao scrambled to his feet and staggered toward the city gate. Hearing the whistling arrows above, he looked up, his face changing color in panic, and he dove forward like a starving tiger.

"Bang!"

Suo Chao lunged off the drawbridge just in time, only to hear the mournful whinny of the white horse.

"Neigh—"

Suo Chao looked back in horror to see his battle-hardened steed riddled with arrows, transformed into a pincushion.

"Clang, clang, clang..."

Despite the rain of arrows, Lu Junyi stood his ground at the bridgehead, dancing his twelve-foot steel spear to deflect the shafts. In his hands, the weapon became a blur of snowflakes and pear blossoms, radiating a dazzling, shimmering light. He protected not only himself and his horse but also covered Cai Fu behind him.

"Swish!"

Another sharp whistling sound pierced the air as the second iron chain recoiled and lashed against the city wall.

"Second Brother, move back!"

Cai Fu roared, jammed his ghost-head saber into the ground, and crouched, hooking his hands beneath the bridge plank.

Lu Junyi, having lived and fought alongside him, shared a tacit understanding. He reined in his horse and retreated from the bridge.

"Haaa!"

Cai Fu’s tiger-like eyes bulged. He braced his stance, and the muscles in his arms erupted with primal, monstrous strength.

"Hum—"

The bridge plank, now freed from the restraint of the iron chains, was actually heaved up by him and flipped toward the city gate!

"Clang, clang, clang..."

The arrows raining down from the walls were blocked by the massive wooden plank. Cai Fu drew his saber and laughed heartily. "Second Brother, let’s go!"

"Boom!"

The heavy wooden plank flipped over and slammed against the city gate with such force that the very walls trembled.

"Damned bastards!"

Wen Da instinctively ducked his head, staring in stunned silence as the bridge plank leaned up to block the gate. *How could this fellow be so terrifyingly strong?*

Waving away the rolling dust, Wen Da squinted, but Cai Fu and Lu Junyi were already gone.

"Dammit!"

Wen Da slapped the parapet with all his might, his voice raspy as he screamed, "If you have the guts, don't run! I, 'Big Blade' Wen Da, will fight you for three hundred rounds!"

*Commander Wen, think twice!* The surrounding archers were terrified. *What if they actually come back?*

...

For the sake of safety and to avoid exposing Lique Mountain, Cai Fu and his group retreated into the nearby forest.

During a brief rest, Yang Xiong and Shi Xiu prostrated themselves before Cai Fu, bowing deeply. "Thank you, hero, for saving our lives! If you ever have need of us, my brother and I will brave fire and water for you, without hesitation!"

Dai Zong quickly knelt as well, repeating their sentiments in his own way.

"Rise, three brothers!"

Cai Fu lifted Yang Xiong and Shi Xiu, then helped Dai Zong up. "In my travels, the most important thing is 'righteousness.' To see injustice and draw one's blade to help is my duty—why mention it?"

Cai Fu’s words struck a chord in Shi Xiu’s heart. Most importantly, Cai Fu wasn't just spouting empty rhetoric. He had truly risked his life to save them. This moved the "Death-Defying Third Brother" to tears; he felt he would gladly entrust his life to Cai Fu.

Yang Xiong, while perhaps not as fiercely loyal as Shi Xiu, was also a good man and felt deeply grateful.

Dai Zong was not ungrateful, but his heart was already occupied by Song Jiang. At this moment, his mind was filled with thoughts of his leader: *This is bad. Lu Junyi has been saved by Cai Fu, and even we have been saved by Cai Fu! What is Brother Song Gongming to do now?*